AN investigation has been launched into the way West Midlands Police officers handled an incident at a Birmingham retail park.

AN investigation has been launched into the way West Midlands Police officers handled an incident at a Birmingham retail park.

An Asian store manager claimed officers failed to take any action against racial abuse he suffered while being assaulted.

His claims are being looked into by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Police were called to the unnamed retail park in March of this year when the manager claimed he was assaulted by a white customer.

A man was arrested and the victim was treated for minor injuries.

He was subsequently unable to work as a result of the trauma for a prolonged period.

A spokesman for the IPCC said his and other eye-witness accounts allege that following the assault the assailant made racially abusive comments about him.

But the man was subsequently released without charge.

IPCC Investigator Greg Reilly, assisted by officers from West Midlands Police Professional Standards Department, are looking into his claims.

An IPCC spokesman said: "The assault on this victim is troubling and understandably this has had a deeply traumatic impact on his life subsequently.

"Whilst the police response to the initial incident was a prompt one, the manner and speed at which the police disposed of this matter raises serious questions. Especially if there was evidence of racial aggravation."